OTTAWA—The inaugural Progress Summit came to a close today with over 600 participants and more than 10,000 tweets. Over the course of this weekend, progressives from across Canada came together in Ottawa to learn from leading progressive policy experts and organizers.

“The progressive movement has taken great strides this weekend. Delegates are leaving energized and are taking with them good ideas and tangible strategies to build a progressive Canada,” said Ed Broadbent, Chair of the Broadbent Institute.

The Summit featured leadership training, four keynotes, and numerous panels. Discussions focused on pressing issues such as income inequality, democratic renewal, the attack on the labour movement, and building a green economy.

“Political parties and democratic politics have been the vehicles of change. But progressive opinion and progressive activism have been the motor of that change,” Rick Smith, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute, said in his closing speech to Summit participants.

He added: “As we near the next federal election, progressives are ready to play a central role in national policy debates.”

Sunday’s closing panel featured Anastasia Khoo, marketing director of Human Rights Campaign. Khoo was the mastermind behind a logo that became Facebook's most viral campaign: the now iconic red and pink marriage equality profile photo.

Khoo had a strong message for those who brush off social media as a passing fad. “Social media has changed the way people communicate, and if you want to be an effective communicator, it's imperative that you are part of that conversation.”

Added Khoo in her parting advice to participants: “Be bold, be innovative, be hopeful and know you’re on the right side of history.”

The Broadbent Institute’s inaugural Progress Summit took place from March 28-30 in Ottawa. Video footage of all keynote speeches and select panels will be available on www.youtube.com/broadbentinstitute.